Drivers who use Tesco to fill up their vehicle have been told to "wake up" over a £120 change. It comes after one customer noticed a sign while filling up.
On Twitter, @CromwellStuff created a viral thread about the changes. They posted a yellow sign which tells drivers about a new pre-authorisation change for those paying at the pump.
Birmingham Live reports those who use pay at the pump have a pre-authorisation charge which happens when they tap or insert their card at a petrol pump's card reader before filling up. Previously, anyone using the pay-at-pump service would have to undergo an 'active card check', where their bank or card company checks whether or not their payment card is real by seeing whether or not it's able to reserve £1 from it.
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This was changed to an 'available funds check' last year where people's card balance is checked to make sure they have enough cash to cover the petrol they are buying. The recent notice posted at a Tesco pump says drivers could now be initially charged £120.
It reads: "Due to new payment rules issued by banks, your bank will reserve up to £120 ... and then releases any unused funds shortly afterwards." It also says that people can still use pay at the pump and will let people know the available amount your card issuer has approved. But the notice has sent anger through shoppers.
@CromwellStuff, who posted the photo, wrote: "This sign is on Tesco petrol pumps, if this doesn’t wake you up nothing will. I have paid for ease with my card, like all other purchases these past two weeks it will now be cash! It’s my money not theirs, take back control cash only!"
Other shoppers came to the thread to share their concern and anger. @whimsicalnick said: "I had no idea this was a thing. Glad I always use a human cashier wherever they still exist. #UseCashiersMeetPeopleSaveJobs".
Paul Hayman added: "They started doing this a couple of years ago where I live. I pay cash now every time." A Tesco spokesperson said following discussions with Visa and Mastercard, they confirmed last year that they would be changing the way customers pay for their fuel at a small number of our forecourts.
They added: "We’ve learnt a lot from the success of this trial, and in line with Mastercard and Visa requirements, we’ll now be rolling out the changes to the rest of our fuel stations throughout the rest of the year."
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